What is TP 53 ?
TP 53 is a gene that encodes for the tumor suppressor protein 53. All of us have this gene in our body to control the cell division cycle. The normal function of protein 53 is to keep the cells from dividing when the damage occurs, and if the DNA can’t be repaired, it lets the cells to programmed cell death. Without this control factor, the cells will divide more than it needs to and uncontrolled division result in tumor growth, which is known as cancer.
Image:https://cellbiology.med.unsw.edu.au/cellbiology/images/thumb/f/f2/Zp53_pathway.jpg/370px-Zp53_pathway.jpgImage
How it is link to cancer?
The mutation ! Mutation is the heritable changes that happened to the DNA sequences that code for what we are. It can be due to the genetic materials from parents or due to the agents such as chemicals, bacteria, and viruses. When the TP 53 gene is mutated, the normal function of protein 53 is inhibited. The following video by the Vitae Studios explains the general regulation of the basic tumor suppressor and how the regulation changes happen in cancer cells.
TP 53 role in lung cancer:
A group of scientists conducted the study, in which the TP 53 involvement in the liver cancer in smokers and non smokers. They found that 47.2% of the lung cancers has mutation at TP 53. The TP 53 frequency of mutation increased with tobacco consumption. For the non smokers, 36 % of the patients were TP 53 mutated compared to 64% among those reported with more than 60 pack-years. We all know that smoking is bad for our health and based on this study, we emphasize on the fact that not only liver cancer but also other types of cancer can result if TP 53 gene is mutated.
Concluding Thought:
Tumor suppressor 53 is coined as guardian of the genome (all the genetic materials) because of its importance role in the control of the cell division. Mutation happens in this gene can give rise to many different types of cancer. By understating the function and its relatedness to the cancer causing, we can use this tumor suppressor in possible therapy for the cancer treatment in the future .
References:
- Halvorsen, A. R., Silwal-Pandit, L., Meza-Zepeda, L. A., Vodak, D., Vu, P., Sagerup, C., … Helland, Å. (2016). TP53 Mutation Spectrum in Smokers and Never Smoking Lung Cancer Patients. Frontiers in Genetics, 7, 85. http://doi.org/10.3389/fgene.2016.00085
- Petitjean , A., Achatz , M.I.W., Borresen-Dale, A.L., Hainaut, P., and Olivier, M. (2007). TP53 mutations in human cancers: functional selection and impact on cancer prognosis and outcomes. Springer Nature, 26, 2157-2165. doi:10.1038/sj.onc.1210302
- U.S. National Library of Medicine. (2015). TP 53 gene . Genetic Home Reference. Bethesda, Maryland : U.S. Government . Retrieved from:https://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/gene/TP53#synonyms
- Vitae Studios (2013). Tumor suppressor gene regulation in cancer cells
. Retrieved from : htpps://www.youtube.cm/watch?v=2NVBsPfOtT8.
I thought it was a very good post that you wrote, and I like how you provided a video of how tumor suppressor regulates cancer cells.
I am glad that you enjoyed it! Feel free to ask any questions for things I missed in my post.
I’m interested in knowing why you think this is important, and what we should be thinking and doing about it.
I feel that people have the general understanding of uncontrolled cell cycle can result in tumor formation in the cells, which result in cancer. Also, I assume that people would take interest in molecular/genetic aspects of science to find out about the processes that involved in causing cancer and not just about the agents that cause the cancer, symptoms or treatment about it. Even though this information about TP 53 is specific, I think it is good for the audience to know more about one out of many gene regulation factor that has important role in cancer. Also, understanding of TP 53 can help with further therapeutic innovations to help fight the cancer in a long run.
Sounds good!
I have never heard of T 53 so I enjoyed reading your post and learning more about this! I found your visuals, especially the video, very informative and helpful towards understanding the subject. A question for thought: How is this gene being used in medicine and what could the future possibilities be?
Please take a look at this website. https://www.asbestos.com/treatment/tumor-based-p53-therapy.php. Scientists have came up with ways to increase p53 protein, which encode by TP 53 gene in the cancer cells via usage of viruses as vehicle . The positive results have been observed in phase I and II clinical trails with a show of decrease tumor size in lung cancer patients. FDA has not approved this therapeutic method as of yet.
This shows great promise!